The rays of the late morning sun began to light up the dim interior, slowly stirring the man awake where he sat in the wicker chair. He didn't remember falling asleep there.
Elias yawned and soon felt the added weight on his lap, his cat curled up on it and had been sleeping peacefully until its master started to wake up.
The night had been long and full of work. After what he learned from Aeruthuil, the doctor had to prepare. Once the patient would be strong enough to get back to his feet, that would be the chance Elias had waited for to get the final ingredient which he needed to test his theory and work, but everything had to be ready. There was no room for mistakes.
Elias shook the cat off him and slowly got out of the chair and in that moment, there was a knock on the door. He stepped over, opened the door and found a letter extended towards him.
-"G'day, doc. Got 'nother letter for ya." The Hobbit greeted Elias, carrying a big smile on his face.
"Ah. Thank you, mister Longholes." Elias replied with a polite nod.
-"Is a bit chilly, ain't it? Winter comin' and all. Got that roof of yers ready, sir?" The Hobbit asked, closing the mail-bag as he prepared to move on to the next few houses.
"Yes. I think some work has been done on it." The doctor paused for a moment, studying the Hobbit. "Have you seen miss Winkle lately?"
-"Miss Winkle? No, sir! Ain't seen her for 'while now, I haven't. Nah, nah, she's prolly be in the Shire stockin' up the cubby for the winter months!" He happily answered.
Elias nodded "That makes good sense. Thank you again, mister Longholes. Hope you have a good day. Keep safe."
-"Ya too, doc! Maybe I'll come by again t'morrow if ya be gettin' 'nother letter." Longholes gave a quick wave before the door was shut on him, the mailhobbit carrying on with his work for the day.
Elias looked over the envelope and wondered if it was from another patient. The wax seal was carefully cracked and the letter withdrawn, unfolded and scanned over.
Confused, his eyes darted down to the bottom of the parchment to see the name of the one who had written to him; Kithri.
For a brief, moment he thought on why she would have sent him a letter, it made no sense at first. The message was set down on the table and the doctor moved into the kitchen to prepare himself a cup of tea to have while he'd sit and read the letter more carefully again.
With the cup in hand and resting, Elias read over the letter more carefully; reading each word with interest. He was still confused by it and so he read it again and again after that.
Perhaps I would make a meal as well. You could stand to eat more!
As he read that again, the man began to smile a little, continuing on despite having read it over three times already.
Kithri continued to make mention of the worms and the discussion they had about them, how she'd brought more into her house to better understand them.
If you think of anything which interests you, or find a topic you would like to discuss, I will make sure to take to researching what I may, so the next time we chat I could be more well learned, and perhaps better company!
Elias shook his head, chuckling low. It still surprised him she'd taken such interest and to make an offer like this, he didn't understand it, but he couldn't help but be amused and perhaps looking forward to their next meeting. Maybe this good Hobbit had the mind he'd been looking for.
Now, the purpose of this letter in truth, is to tell you of one who talks of you often as a friend.
The doctor's mood turned more somber as he continued, but slowly earned a faint smile again as he read the familiar names. He sank back in his chair, looking over the letter with a warm smile as he studied the rose and brown squiggles that decorated the parchment.
and mind not the worm paintings. I am working on drawing things other than plants
seems I got rather carried away!
Elias read the message a couple of times before finally putting it away and finishing the tea. There was something odd about getting such a simple letter, no bitter news, insults or an attempt towards guilt. It was strangely comforting.
After the morning bath and chores, the doctor sat down again with a few parchments and decided to write back to Kithri and, after a while of deliberation, address another letter to Master Yurri. This would be the last time he'd be able to write to the dwarf and he could only hope that it would reach the mountain before the elder would find his eternal rest. At least this time, he'd try, he had learned from his last mistake.
With the letter to Yurri, the doctor placed a withered flower that he had preserved along with a rusted nail. It was perhaps a grim gesture, but it was an honest one. Whether Yurri would understand it, the doctor might never find out.
Elias would pay the extra coin to have the letters delivered to the mountain with haste, it wasn't something he could afford, but it was something it was something he felt the need to do.
It reminded him that he hadn't given an answer to miss Sera yet, but he wished to speak with her rather than send his words through a letter. His week would still be busy so he'd wait until the end of it to send word to the woman.
